A Detailed Guide to Common Diseases of Female Foxes During Pregnancy and Birthing and Their Treatments

Foxes are relatively rare in everyday life; generally we only see them in zoos. During the raising of female foxes, the pregnancy and birthing periods are very critical, and diseases can easily appear with the slightest carelessness. So what are the common diseases during this period? What are the treatment methods?

I. What are the common diseases of female foxes during pregnancy and birthing?

1. Vitamin C deficiency

Vitamin C deficiency has little effect on the health of the mother animal, but it has a great impact on the normal development of the cubs. Because vitamin C deficiency can increase capillary permeability and cause capillary bleeding, the skin at the affected area becomes flushed and tense, the limbs become edematous, the joints become thick, and the foot pads swell; the cubs scream with strong cries, have difficulty crawling, cannot nurse, and the mortality rate is very high.

2. Gastroenteritis

During pregnancy and birthing, the gastrointestinal function of foxes and raccoon dogs is very sensitive to feed spoilage and deterioration, frequent changes in feed types, foreign matter mixed into the feed, or insufficient vitamin supply, which can cause inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa, leading to disorders of gastrointestinal motility and secretion. It often manifests as diarrhea, even green watery stools, sometimes vomiting, and reduced appetite or refusal to eat.

3. Bronchopneumonia

Bronchopneumonia is caused by respiratory tract microorganisms--pneumococci, streptococci, and staphylococci. Because the weather is excessively cold and the small den is not kept warm enough, a cold is first caused and then the disease develops secondarily. It can also be induced by hot weather, poor ventilation in the small den, and damp, stuffy bedding. It manifests as mental depression, a dry nose, redness or cyanosis of the visible mucous membranes, decreased body temperature, shortness of breath, sometimes coughing, dry feces, and a desire to drink but not eat. If not treated in time, it can lead to death.

II. Treatment methods for common diseases of female foxes during pregnancy and birthing

1. Prevention and treatment methods for vitamin C deficiency

(1) To prevent this disease, it is necessary to provide the mother animal with a complete compound feed, which is required to contain sufficient vitamins; supply fresh leafy vegetable feed, 50--100 grams per animal per day, or add refined vitamin C 30--50 mg to the daily ration;

(2) Affected cubs need timely treatment; the cubs can be given 3--5 drops of 3%--5% ascorbic acid solution by dropper, 2 times a day until the symptoms disappear.

2. Prevention and treatment methods for gastroenteritis

(1) The feed should be fresh, and spoiled feed should not be fed; the feed types should remain absolutely stable and should not be changed at will as much as possible. When feed must be changed, it must be done gradually, giving foxes and raccoon dogs a process of adapting to the habit, especially because the microbial system in the raccoon dog's stomach must function in a relatively constant environment, so only gradual change can avoid affecting its digestive function and causing disease.

(2) Oral oxytetracycline or tetracycline can be given at 0.25--0.5 grams per animal per day; at the same time, intramuscular injection of 2 mL of compound vitamin B has a better effect.

(3) Intramuscular injection of 0.5 grams of ampicillin sodium and 2 mL of compound vitamin B.

3. Prevention and treatment methods for bronchopneumonia

(1) Intramuscular injection of penicillin, 400,000--800,000 units for adult animals and 100,000--200,000 units for young animals, 2 times daily; penicillin and streptomycin can also be used in combination, each at 200,000--400,000 units each time, 2 times daily.

(2) Before birthing, the small den should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and then dry bedding should be laid down. When the weather changes suddenly, bedding should be added or the gaps in the small den should be pasted over with paper strips.